Newburgh's latest acting manager hired on 3-2 vote

CITY OF NEWBURGH — In the end, Newburgh's latest acting city manager came in the hard way.

BY DOYLE MURPHY

CITY OF NEWBURGH — In the end, Newburgh's latest acting city manager came in the hard way.

The City Council voted 3-2 Monday night to hire former Croton-on-Hudson village manager Richard Herbek. He had tried during the past couple of weeks to win full support, but consensus on the subject has been rare lately.

"I wish I had a 5-0 vote, but I'll be dedicating my time to helping out the City of Newburgh as best I can," Herbek said after the vote.

Councilwomen Christine Bello and Mary Ann Dickinson voted against hiring Herbek, but both said they would work with him. Their concerns were primarily financial: Herbek's $3,250 weekly salary.

Bello also said the salary had been negotiated without input from the full council.

Mayor Nicholas Valentine said there was nothing wrong with the negotiations. As for covering the salary, he compared it to shifting a couple dollars into your gasoline budget when fuel prices jump. He asked Dickinson what she would do in that situation.

"I don't drive my car," Dickinson said.

"I drive my car — have to get to work," Valentine said.

"I walk," Dickinson said.

Councilwoman Marge Bell took a few minutes to tell young people to consider choosing city management as a career.

"It's something that will really nurture you if you're interested in public service," she said.

Herbek said he's enjoyed it so far. He'll replace former comptroller Charles Emberger, who left last week for another job after filling in as manager. Emberger replaced Dwight Douglas, who quit because he said council members' criticism had become too personal.

dmurphy@th-record.com

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